University of Greenwich – Podcast and Video Production Studio
Specialist Podcast Studio Design, AV Consultancy and Project Management
Drama by Design was appointed by the University of Greenwich to develop a new, fully equipped podcast and video production studio within the Pembroke Building at the University’s Medway Campus.
The project involved transforming an existing room into a flexible, professional-quality production environment capable of supporting podcasts, interviews, presentations, lecture capture, video recording, live streaming and green-screen productions.
Drama by Design provided a complete specialist studio consultancy and project management service, working directly with the University from the initial planning and design of the space through to technical specification, acoustic treatment, electrical infrastructure, installation management, final commissioning and staff training.
The completed facility combines professional broadcast technology with straightforward operation, allowing a single operator or small production team to manage a wide range of recording and production activities.
Studio Planning, Acoustics and Technical Infrastructure
An important part of the project was developing a practical studio layout that could accommodate different production arrangements within the available space.
Drama by Design worked closely with the University to establish the operational requirements and develop the studio layout, including camera positions, production areas, lighting arrangements, technical equipment and the associated control position.
Our consultancy included the specification of specialist acoustic treatment to provide an appropriate recording environment for speech and video production.
We also designed and specified the electrical and technical infrastructure, including power distribution, data connectivity, lighting services and the specialist cabling requirements of the production systems.
Dedicated facility panels provide flexible connections between the studio floor and control equipment, incorporating audio, video, data and lighting control connections. This allows microphones, cameras and other equipment to be repositioned to suit different production requirements.
Professional Audio and Video Production Systems
The studio incorporates three remotely controlled BirdDog PTZ cameras, providing flexible camera positions for seated podcast interviews, presentations and other video production activities.
Two cameras are wall-mounted, with a third incorporated into a mobile teleprompter arrangement, allowing it to be repositioned within the studio.
Camera operation is managed through a dedicated PTZ controller and integrated production control system, with programmable camera presets enabling rapid selection of different shooting positions.
At the centre of the video production system is a Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro ISO production switcher, providing live vision mixing, multiview monitoring, individual camera recording and live streaming capabilities.
Professional podcast audio is provided through a RØDECaster Pro II digital audio mixer, supporting multiple microphones, wireless microphone operation and headphone monitoring.
The studio is equipped with professional microphones, active monitoring loudspeakers and associated audio infrastructure, enabling high-quality speech recording and flexible audio production workflows.
A dedicated recording and editing workstation supports video capture, recording and post-production using OBS Studio and Camtasia. A separate control computer provides access to the camera systems, production switcher, lighting controls and teleprompter.
Specialist Studio Lighting and Green-Screen Production
Drama by Design designed the specialist studio lighting installation to accommodate different recording arrangements while providing consistent and controllable illumination.
The studio incorporates bi-colour LED production lighting with softboxes, providing adjustable intensity and colour temperature to suit different camera positions, backgrounds and production requirements.
The lighting system is controlled using DMX and Art-Net technology, with preset lighting scenes configured for podcast recording, presentations and green-screen production.
A tensioned pull-down green screen provides additional flexibility, allowing the studio to be used for chroma-key video production and the integration of digitally generated backgrounds.
The lighting and control infrastructure also includes provision for future expansion, allowing additional fixtures to be incorporated as production requirements develop.
Integrated Production Control and Simplified Operation
A key objective was to provide professional production capabilities without requiring a large technical team to operate the studio.
Drama by Design developed an integrated control approach using an Elgato Stream Deck XL, providing a straightforward interface for selecting different production modes and accessing camera, lighting, recording and streaming functions.
Dedicated operational presets have been developed for podcast recording, lecture and presentation capture, and green-screen production.
Each mode provides access to the appropriate camera positions, lighting scenes and production controls, reducing the need for operators to configure individual systems for routine activities.
The integration of camera control, studio lighting, audio mixing and video switching allows the facility to support both straightforward recordings and more sophisticated multi-camera productions.
Complete Project Management, Commissioning and Training
In addition to the design and specification of the studio systems, Drama by Design provided project management of the works, coordinating the specialist installation, acoustic treatment and associated electrical and data infrastructure.
Our involvement continued throughout the project, including the review and coordination of installation works, system testing and final commissioning.
Following completion, we provided client training and operational guidance, helping University staff understand the equipment, production workflows and different recording configurations.
The result is a flexible podcast and video production studio that combines professional audio-visual technology with practical, accessible operation.
The project demonstrates Drama by Design’s ability to provide independent podcast studio design, broadcast studio consultancy, acoustic treatment specification and integrated AV project management, delivering complete production facilities from initial concept through to operational handover.
For more information about our services, visit our Studio Consultancy and Audio Visual Consultancy pages.
